Oakland running back Darren McFadden averaged only 3.3 yards per carry in 2012.

Oakland running back Darren McFadden averaged only 3.3 yards per carry in 2012.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Marcus Allen is the Raiders' all-time leading rusher - by a long shot.

Marcus Allen is the Raiders' all-time leading rusher - by a long shot.

Photo: AP

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NFL preview: Raiders hope McFadden returns to form

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This preseason, the Raiders put hope on the shelf.

Running back Darren McFadden didn't play in the last two preseason games because, quite honestly, he is the one great player on offense. Or at least the one who has been great in the NFL.

He could be great again, and any hope that the Raiders can win more than four games this season starts with him.

And, it must be stipulated, we're talking about the Darren McFadden from 2010 and 2011, not the one from last season. The one with the 4.33-second, 40-yard speed and a mean-spirited stiff arm. The one who ran for 1,157 yards and caught for 507 more and scored 10 touchdowns in 2010.

The one who led the NFL with 14 carries of more than 20 yards, and the following year led the league in rushing after six games before hurting his foot.

McFadden turned 26 on Tuesday, and the Raiders blew out the candles, wishing his last statement will come true.

Last season, McFadden was not a top-five back. Statistically, he was the worst Raiders running back ever, his average falling from 5.2 yards a carry to 3.3 - the lowest for a Raiders back with at least 150 carries in a season.

Usually, being "in the zone" is a good thing. Not so with McFadden, who struggled in head coach Dennis Allen's preferred zone-blocking scheme, which called for backs to move side to side - rather than north and south - waiting for a cut-back opportunity.

"Last year is last year," McFadden said. "We put that behind us. We have a lot of new faces here, a new offensive scheme, and there are a lot of new things going on. We're not going to concern ourselves with what went on last year."

New offensive coordinator Greg Olson has brought back the power-gap scheme with which McFadden is more comfortable.

"This is very exciting for me," McFadden said. "I am the type of guy who likes to go downhill, make a cut and go; that's my thing. We'll mix it up like we used to, and get some zones in there, but for the most part, I will be keeping my shoulders toward the line of scrimmage."

Besides being held to 707 yards on 216 carries last season, McFadden was also stopped by injury - again. He missed four games because of an ankle sprain and has missed 23 games in his five seasons - "just a fluke," he said, "because I am always going hard."

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie agrees, and said in February that McFadden "is as tough as they come."

"It's the same thing I see every training camp," fullback Marcel Reece said. "He comes back bigger, stronger, faster, better."

We'll have to take his word for it. McFadden carried the ball only eight times for 22 yards this preseason, as Allen changed his mind from the 2012 preseason when he said he wouldn't "baby" the rusher.

McFadden has not had a chance this preseason to run with quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is adept in the pistol offense and other read-option situations.

"Oh yeah," McFadden said, when asked if Pryor would create some running space for him. "Having a guy like that back there running the ball, you have to respect it because you can't just key on the running back."

McFadden is the key to any success the Raiders might have this season, and he has a vested interest as well: This is a contract year.

"I would love to stay a Raider, but everyone is focused on this season right now," said McFadden, the Raiders' only first-round pick since 2001 still on the roster.

McFadden has no reason to sign an extension, coming off his worst season, and the strapped Raiders are in no position to offer one now. McKenzie said he is open to talking to McFadden about a contract before he becomes a free agent, but he is focused on Sept. 8 in Indianapolis.

"I'm looking forward to Darren McFadden having a great season this year," McKenzie said.